Final answer:
The oldest of the Oceti Sakowin, or Great Sioux Nation, have a rich history of diversity and conflict with the U.S., reflected in recent advocacy efforts for land and treaty rights. Notable instances like the Lakota Sioux's 1870s conflicts and the resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline demonstrate ongoing legal and social dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The oldest of the Oceti Sakowin, or the Great Sioux Nation, have a long and proud history that reflects the diversity of experiences among different tribes such as the Lakota Sioux, Prairie Pottawatomi, Modoc, Apache, Nez Perce, Utes, and Navajo. Historical interactions with the United States government have varied dramatically from tribe to tribe, often leading to conflict and loss of land. For instance, the Lakota Sioux's conflict with the U.S. government in the 1870s was attributed to several factors including competition over resources, differing views on land ownership, and the discovery of gold in the Black Hills.
In contemporary times, the Great Sioux Nation has been proactive in defending their lands and treaties, notably during the resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline as expressed through their assertion "Mni Wiconi" (water is life). Recent legal decisions, such as the 2020 US Supreme Court ruling that recognized much of eastern Oklahoma as tribal land of the Creek people, echo ongoing challenges and successes in the assertion of Native American rights to land and sovereignty.
The shared history of these tribes and persistent advocacy for their rights highlights the complexity of Native American and U.S. government relations and the crucial need for recognition and protection of indigenous lands and treaties.